Reconciliation Framework

In February 2022, the Steering Committee on Canada’s Archives released Reconciliation Framework: The Response to the Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Taskforce (PDF, 6.5 MB). The Framework, the product of 5 years of work by the Steering Committee, provides guidelines that archives across Canada can use to moved towards reconciliation and decolonization.

The Framework outlines 7 objectives and strategies. We encourage those interested in learning more about the 7 objectives and strategies to review the Reconciliation Framework.

  1. Relationship of Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity, and Responsibility (Four Rs)
  2. Governance and Management Structures
  3. Professional Practice
  4. Ownership, Control and Possession
  5. Access
  6. Arrangement and Description
  7. Education

The United Church of Canada Archives is committed to supporting the reconciliation work of the church and is also committed to addressing systemic harm that the records held at the Archives have and continue to inflict on Indigenous communities.

To address the objectives and strategies outlined in the Framework and work towards reconciliation and decolonization, the Archives has mapped out several goals and strategies. These goals are tied to a strategic objective outlined in The United Church of Canada’s strategic plan 2023-2025 (PDF, 423 KB).

We encourage those with questions about the process or wishing to assist with the Archives’ goal and objectives to get in touch.

Goals and Strategies Overview

The information about goals and strategies is intended to provide an overview of the work the Archives is undertaking or will be undertaking in the future. The Reconciliation Framework Goals and Strategies Reconciliation Framework Goals and Strategies document (PDF, 61 KB) provides a description of each objective.

Community Relationships

Primary Objective: O1. Four Rs


Secondary Objectives:

  • O3. Professional Practice
  • O6. Arrangement and Description

  • Status: Not Started
  • Priority: Critical
  • Year Range: 2023-2024

Oral History Program

Primary Objective: O1. Four Rs


Secondary Objectives:

  • O2. Governance and Management
  • O4. Ownership, Control and Possession
  • O5. Access

  • Status: Not Started
  • Priority: High
  • Year Range: 2024

Funding Strategies

Primary Objective: O2. Governance and Management


Secondary Objectives:

  • O1. Four Rs
  • O3. Professional Practice

  • Status: Not Started
  • Priority: Medium
  • Year Range: 2023

Hiring and Job Descriptions

Primary Objective: O2. Governance and Management


Secondary Objectives:

  • O1. Four Rs
  • O3. Professional Practice

  • Status: Not Started
  • Priority: Low
  • Year Range: 2024

Archives Partnerships

Primary Objective: O2. Governance and Management


Secondary Objectives:

  • O1. Four Rs
  • O4. Ownership, Control and Possession

  • Status: Not Started
  • Priority: High
  • Year Range: 2025-2026

Trauma-Informed Practices

Primary Objective: O3. Professional Practice


Secondary Objectives:

  • O2. Governance and Managemen
  • O6. Arrangement and description
  • O7. Education

  • Status: In Progress
  • Priority: High
  • Year Range: 2022-2023

Mandatory or Continuing Education

Primary Objective: O3. Professional Practice


Secondary Objectives:

  • O7. Education

  • Status: Not Started
  • Priority: Medium
  • Year Range: 2023

Ecumenical and Professional Discussions

Primary Objective: O3. Professional Practice


Secondary Objectives:

  • O1. Four Rs
  • O7. Education

  • Status: Not Started
  • Priority: Medium
  • Year Range: 2023-2024

Ownership and Copyright Policies

Primary Objective: O4. Ownership, Control and Possession


Secondary Objectives:

  • O2. Governance and Management
  • O5. Access

  • Status: Not Started
  • Priority: High
  • Year Range: 2024

This goal will align with the First Nations principles of ownership, control, access and possession

Identify Acquisitions

Primary Objective: O4. Ownership, Control and Possession


Secondary Objectives:

  • O2. Governance and Management
  • O5. Access

  • Status: Not Started
  • Priority: Medium
  • Year Range: 2023-2024

Artefact and Material Culture Coordinator

Primary Objective: O4. Ownership, Control and Possession


Secondary Objectives:

  • O1. Four Rs
  • O2. Governance and Management

  • Status: Not Started
  • Priority: Medium
  • Year Range: 2024-2025

Provide Hard Drives

Primary Objective: O5. Access


Secondary Objectives:

  • O1. Four Rs
  • O4. Ownership, Control and Possession

  • Status: In Progress
  • Priority: Critical
  • Year Range: 2021-2026

Digitization of Records

Primary Objective: O5. Access


Secondary Objectives:

  • O1. Four Rs

  • Status: In Progress
  • Priority: Critical
  • Year Range: 2021-2025

Project information can be found on the Digitization Project page.

Review and Revise Privacy Policies

Primary Objective: O5. Access


Secondary Objectives:

  • O2. Governance and Management
  • O4. Ownership, Control and Possession

  • Status: Not Started
  • Priority: High
  • Year Range: 2024

This goal will align with the First Nations principles of ownership, control, access and possession

Access Policies

Primary Objective: O5. Access


Secondary Objectives:

  • O1. Four Rs
  • O4. Ownership, Control and Possession

  • Status: Not Started
  • Priority: High
  • Year Range: 2024

Anti-Oppressive Description

Primary Objective: O6. Arrangement and Description


Secondary Objectives:

  • O3. Professional Practice
  • O5. Access

  • Status: In Progress
  • Priority: High
  • Year Range: 2022-2025

Anti-oppressive description information can be found on the anti-oppressive language page.

Centennial Commemorations

Primary Objective: O7. Education


Secondary Objectives:

  • O3. Professional Practice

  • Status: In Progress
  • Priority: Medium
  • Year Range: 2023-2025

Education Materials

Primary Objective: O7. Education


Secondary Objectives:

  • O1. Four Rs
  • O3. Professional Practice

  • Status: Not Started
  • Priority: Medium
  • Year Range: 2024-2025